Lake Barrington man remembered for community service
George Louis Barr built a career in banking, specializing in crisis management. However, one of his most satisfying roles came during retirement, when he was appointed as a trustee to the Wauconda Fire Protection District.
"He was our financial guy," says trustee Richard McGill of Wauconda. "With his background in banking, he was our resident expert."
Mr. Barr, a Lake Barrington resident, died Sunday, at the age of 70. At the time of his death, he was the sitting chairman of Brickyard Bank in Lincolnwood, and Lake County officials last year had reappointed him as a fire protection district trustee.
Over his 10 years as a trustee, Mr. Barr and other board members helped advance the district from its rural, volunteer roots into a professional department, culminating with the merger in 2007 between the Wauconda Fire Protection District, and its corporate side, the Wauconda Fire Department Inc.
The merger and streamlining of public entities followed two years of negotiations during which Mr. Barr stressed enhancing its fiscal management and accountability to its residents.
"He was a very good guy to have on the board during that time, with his ability to double and triple check things," says Wauconda Fire Chief David Dato. "All of the board members wanted to make sure the same level of service continued."
The fire department provides fire, rescue and emergency medical services to residents of Wauconda, as well as parts of Island Lake, Tower Lakes, Port Barrington, Volo, Lake Barrington, North Barrington, Hawthorn Woods and Lakemoor.
Mr. Barr began his financial career in 1962 at Continental Bank, where he became a vice president in 1975. During his nearly 35-year career in banking, family members say he worked to rescue or stabilize 20 banks.
Following his career at Continental, he served as president, CEO or chairman of Western Springs Bank & Trust, New Asia Bank, Drovers National Bank, Bank of Chicago, Lawndale, Bank, Garfield Ridge Bank, United Trust Bank and Brickyard Bank, to name a few.
Mr. Barr is survived by his wife, Marianna; his three children, Jeanne Barr Mosher of Louisville, Colo., Justin Barr of Evanston and Jann Barr Ross of Bath, England; as well as two stepchildren, Christopher Sturm and Mathew Westphal, both of Janesville, Wis.; and six grandchildren.